BMW White Glove offers insights to driving excellence

BMW White Glove is an exclusively curated experience that offers customers a unique introduction and insight into the art of luxury driving, and we got a chance to preview it first-hand. Ostensibly born out of Rolls-Royce's chauffeur training program, this unique experience gives customers an opportunity for a one-on-one session with Andi McCann, a world-renowned luxury driving expert with decades of experience in performance driving and chauffeur etiquette. 

Catered to professional chauffeurs and private customers alike, Andi is on hand to point out the finer details that elevate the luxury driving experience. For example, ensuring the car is in "box-fresh" condition before each drive, the importance of offering sufficient space from the kerb to allow passengers to alight safely, an even to something as specific but no less important as not enquiring about the flight journey when picking someone up from the airport (because really, who ever has a great flight. Nobody). Even how you move your hands on the steering wheel matters: Sliding your hand along the wheel can create an unpleasant rubbing noise (especially in eerily quiet EVs). 

Andi McCann has decades of experience in the 'art' of luxury driving, and shares some of the finer details that truly defines a pro

Of course, these are tips and insights relevant to a professional chauffeur. But even if you prefer driving to being driven, there are still valuable insights on offer with regards to driving with refinement and smoothness. Andi notes that the most significant factor is the driving position - the correct and ideal driving position informs the driver's ability to operate the steering wheel and pedals appropriately. Even tiny adjustments to body mechanics can significantly alter one's ability for fine control (informed specifically by the science of kinesiology). This translates to the driver's ability to accelerate, brake and operate the steering wheel with smoothness and granular control.

Perhaps most relevantly for every driver should also be braking modulation - braking early and lightly is key to ensuring minimal weight movement and the "jerk" that often happens when coming to a complete stop. The trick? Imagine someone holding a full champagne glass, and brake in a manner that ensures no precious liquid will be spilled. 

Don't mistake that for simply driving slowly - indeed, the 'art' of luxury driving is imperceptible speed. From negotiating bends to changing lanes, from grappling with start-stop traffic to cruising along the highway, it is ultimately control and smoothness that defines the drive, and what makes it "sharp and effortless". And as Andi can attest, that's even true when driving on a sports car, and also doubly true when behind the wheel of a luxury car.